Lasair: Supporting Principals & Deputy Principals as Instructional Leaders

Overview

In partnership with NAPD and supported by EU funding, Lasair was designed to equip school leaders with the skills and resources to lead and manage change in the development of school structures, systems, supports, and culture that lead to highly effective teaching and learning. Both the principal and one deputy principal are required to attend the programme as a team. This approach not only fosters peer learning but also facilitates both members of the senior leadership team analyse and explore the challenges of leading teaching and learning in their own school. It provides time for them to reflect on their practice and identify opportunities to apply learning to their own unique contexts. It is desirable that the either the principal or deputy principal has completed the ILP.

Objectives

At the end of the programme participants will be able to:

  • Develop an understanding of effective teaching and learning and understand how National and European policy defines effective Teaching and Learning. 
  • Develop a deep understanding of what instructional leadership is, why it is important and what it looks like.  
  • ​Understand how to foster a culture of highly effective Teaching and Learning practices in their school. 
  • ​Support senior leaders in embedding highly effective teaching and learning practices in their schools by developing their skills to lead teaching and learning. 
  • ​Share tools to support Principals and Deputy Principals as instructional leaders. 
  • Develop a deep understanding of reflective practice and the skills to engage in reflective practice. 
  • Understand how educational change works in school. Provide school leaders with the resources and tool to support change.

Delivery Details:

Lasair was piloted in early 2024 with 12 post-primary schools at cross-sectoral level.

It was formally launched at the NAPD Conference in November 2024, after which schools where invited to express their interest in participating. Cohort 1 of the programme commenced in February 2025 and we are currently advertising Cohort 2 which is scheduled for November 2025.

Programme Outline

The programme is residential based and is facilitated over three sessions (six days).

1. Professional Reflection
2. Understanding Instructional Leadership
3. Using national policy to inform the role of principals and deputy principals as Instructional Leaders
4. School Culture
5. Conducting a School Situational Analysis
6. Understanding educational change and how people respond
7. Leading instructional change: Leadership characteristics, styles and approaches
8. Facilitating difficult conservations
9. Celebrating and acknowledging good teaching
10. Showcase of learning.  

What participants have to say about it:

‘The Lasair Programme has been one of the best CPD events which I have had the pleasure to attend. The content and activities are fully applicable to our work as school leaders and for me, helped to bridge the gap between the accepted theories and how they can be applied in a practical sense’ (Principal)

‘The programme challenged us to think about our role and influence over the change process in schools and how to affect whole school change’ (Deputy Principal)

‘’We developed a much deeper understanding of the stages involved in meaningful change and our roles as school leaders in navigating that journey effectively. The activities and presentations prompted us to reflect on our practices as change facilitators and identify points in the change process where we have struggled to maintain traction’’ (Principal).

If you would like to more information email [email protected]